Bioresorbable ocular drug delivery device

Abstract

Disclosed herein are implantable intraocular drug delivery devices structured to provide targeted and/or controlled release of a drug to a desired intraocular target tissue, and methods of implanting and methods of using such devices for the treatment of ocular diseases and disorders. In certain embodiments, some, most, or essentially all of the device is made of biodegradable materials.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An ocular implant configured for implantation into the eye of a subject comprising:
 an elongate outer shell comprising a bioerodible material and shaped to define an interior lumen, the elongate outer shell comprising a closed proximal end and a distal end;   an internal plug positioned within the interior lumen:   a drug positioned within the interior lumen, and the drug at least partially dispersed or mixed within the internal plug creating an internal plug and drug mixture,   a first orifice and a second orifice positioned generally opposite the first orifice,   wherein the drug is configured to pass through the internal plug to control elution of the drug through the at least one of the orifices, and   wherein the implant is positioned within the vitreous cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The ocular implant of  claim 1 , wherein the drug is positioned adjacent to at least a portion of the internal plug. 
     
     
         3 . The ocular implant of  claim 1 , wherein the internal plug is positioned adjacent a distal-most end of the interior lumen. 
     
     
         4 . The ocular implant of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more orifices are positioned near the distal end of the outer shell, wherein the orifices are configured to control elution of the drug through the internal plug and out of the implant. 
     
     
         5 . The ocular implant of  claim 1 , further comprising a coating surrounding at least a portion of the outer shell. 
     
     
         6 . The ocular implant of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal end comprises a cap. 
     
     
         7 . The ocular implant of  claim 1 , wherein the outer shell is configured to begin to bioerode after all or substantially all of the drug is eluted from the interior lumen of the implant. 
     
     
         8 . The ocular implant of  claim 1 , wherein the outer shell is configured to begin to bioerode while at least a portion of the drug to be eluted from the interior lumen of the implant remains in the interior lumen. 
     
     
         9 . The ocular implant of  claim 1 , wherein the implant is configured for implantation within the eye of a subject. 
     
     
         10 . The ocular implant of  claim 1 , wherein the implant is positioned inside a lumen of a 23-25 Gauge needle or cannula of a delivery device. 
     
     
         11 . The ocular implant of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more orifices positioned near a proximal end of the outer shell, wherein the orifices are configured to control elution of the drug out of the implant. 
     
     
         12 . The ocular implant of  claim 1 , wherein the implant is capsule-shaped. 
     
     
         13 . The ocular implant of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal end and distal end are each rounded. 
     
     
         14 . The ocular implant of  claim 1 , wherein the drug is completely dispersed or mixed within the internal plug. 
     
     
         15 . The ocular implant of  claim 1 , wherein the drug comprises at least fifty percent of the internal plug and drug mixture. 
     
     
         16 . The ocular implant of  claim 1 , wherein the internal plug and drug mixture is pre-formed.